In anticipation of the upcoming Halloween season, horror moviegoers have a shortlist of titles from which to choose. Of course, this includes Grady Hendrix’s 2016 novel, My Best Friend’s Exorcism, the New York Times best-seller film adaptation. It’s a nod to the decade’s iconic fashion and music, with an image of Abby (Elsie Fisher) and Gretchen (Amiah Miller) enjoying ice cream at an after-school meetup in a throwback to the decade. One of the girls is sporting her trademark curly hair for a major throwback moment.
Damon Thomas, the director of the film adaptation of My Best Friend’s Exorcism, has previously worked on popular television productions like Penny Dreadful and Killing Eve, both of which include dread-filled plotlines. While dealing with the issues of adolescence, males, and the music culture of 1988, two high school best friends are confronted with the supernatural power seizing Gretchen’s body “like a pair of neon legwarmers” in a horror-filled ladies’ night out gone awry.
It’s up to Abby and Christian Lemon (Christopher Lowell) to exorcise the demon from her best friend’s body before it gets out of control. Aside from the Good Girls and 90210 writers-turned-stars Cathy Ang, Rachel Ogechi Kanu, Clayton Royal Johnson, Erin Ownbey, Nathan Anderson, Cynthia Evans, and Cameron Bass, the film is directed by Jenna Lamia, who previously wrote for NBC’s Good Girls and The CW’s 90210. (A Crime to Remember).
Additionally, Hendrix has a 2014 novel Horrorstör in the running for a film adaptation, as well as a TV series for his 2021 novels Southern Book Club and The Final Girl Support Group. The premiere of My Best Friend’s Exorcism on Prime Video will be on September 30, 2018.
Synopsis
“1988 is the year. Friends since the age of 4, Abby and Gretchen are now sophomores in high school. Gretchen’s behaviour begins to change when a night of skinny-dipping goes awry. She’s prone to mood swings. She’s apprehensive and irritated. When she’s around, strange things start to happen. Is their connection strong enough for Abby and Gretchen to overcome a devil?”